The mysterious shantung dials a.k.a. mosaic dials

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Looks like some vertical-thread shantung diamond dials came 20 years after the first ones:

What a masterpiece!

[Boopie]

Thanks everyone for posting. I learn so much about Rolex watches from this vintage section, and always enjoy the photos!

[teojjsg]

I think Rolex factory definition of Shantung is different from us. It might not be the same as Mosaic like we used to think.

I learnt this from a local collector/dealer today. Something new for me.

Rolex's definition of Shantung is a lacquered Day Date dial with vertical brushing. Photos as below.

Enjoy my friends...

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[miamiclay]

Wow!
Yet another detail hidden by the ubiquity of light-box watch photography.

Does your local guy know whether these shantung/non-mosaic DD dials were offered in any colors other than white, or during what years they were offered?

Thanks!

[teojjsg]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

Wow!

Yet another detail hidden by the ubiquity of light-box watch photography.



Does your local guy know whether these shantung/non-mosaic DD dials were offered in any colors other than white, or during what years they were offered?



Thanks!

So far he has only seen white. There are very very few in the wild Clay. If you see one, try to pick it up if you like this uniquesness. Chances are you won't see another if you miss it.

He also believe all Shantung will have 'SWISS MADE' dials only. Hands should be without lume. No 'T' dials. Day and Date windows should show lacquered effect like vignette or stella. Smooth and a bit rounded.

The watch with cert photos are from the web which I found. The naked dial photo is courtesy from him.

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[zapokee]

Love that subtle vertical brushing. Reminds me of the brushing on the Milgauss 1019 dial.

[teojjsg]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Love that subtle vertical brushing. Reminds me of the brushing on the Milgauss 1019 dial.

I think what is interesting is that these are lacquered first and then brushed. Makes me wonder how many got scrapped to achieve this. Lacquer dries pretty fast, if the brushing strokes are not consistent and fast enough, the effect will not be nice. :)

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[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by teojjsg

I think what is interesting is that these are lacquered first and then brushed. Makes me wonder how many got scrapped to achieve this. Lacquer dries pretty fast, if the brushing strokes are not consistent and fast enough, the effect will not be nice. :)

Thanks for sharing those pics! That does solve a mystery because I'd seen those white diamond dials labeled "shantung" before, but I'd never seen proper high-res pics before and they just looked like normal white dials so I thought it was maybe an unrelated definition of "shantung."

Anyway I think you're right that mosaic != shantung after all.

[teojjsg]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Thanks for sharing those pics! That does solve a mystery because I'd seen those white diamond dials labeled "shantung" before, but I'd never seen proper high-res pics before and they just looked like normal white dials so I thought it was maybe an unrelated definition of "shantung."



Anyway I think you're right that mosaic != shantung after all.

Np my friend. Happy to share any information.

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[sleepydoc]

Beautiful dials